Is the value they put on it higher than what your mum declared? If it is you could ask her to send you the receipt for the camera and get the VAT lowered.

You can also check the camera price yourself here: www.toppreise.ch - if they based their valuation on manufacturer's recommended retail price, you can show that the camera can be had for less in Switzerland, again maybe lowering the VAT payable.

Well, don't know how I managed to do it but I finally have the camera (it has been waiting at the post office for 10 days while I was on holiday) and I didn't have to pay a cent! I talked to another guy on the phone who said I could send it back to customs for re-evaluation or something, which I did, and they sent it back (minus the note from my mother which I know was there because they read it to me on the phone!!!) with no tax or any fees or anything owing! Absolutely can't believe it!

I guess the bright side is at least you got your camera...it's a real shame the way that they dealt with this though

I too would love to know how it all works, I had aparcel from the uk lastweek consisting of chocolate and a video ( taped from the english tv) mum had put a customs form on, total value 6 chf, yer when they delivered it they wanted 60 chf in tax, i havnt payed it and am told its back on the way to the uk to my mum, yet it was my daughters birthday and we have had presents from the uk some with forms on some with out value to about 50chf yet not one of those was stopped

I am reading all this with interest as I have recieved several parcels (which, in fairness, I have ordered from Uk based companies) and I don't mind paying duty on those. However, I am currently waiting for a dress that my parents have posted to me (I have only just moved here), it is not a gift, and it is well over 6mnths old, and is my own personal belonging. I was wondering, will I get charged duty on that???

You might be you should not. If you are not happy you need to complain and say simply it is my dress I forgot when I was in England - it happens. They then take a look at it and say okay...

Cheers Richard. Might have to say it was Ireland.........

The 100 Fr. threshold is only for items declared as gifts. For all other commercial items, there's no threshold at all. But they won't charge your unless the value of the item (including shipping!) is more than 65 Fr. (or 5 Fr of VAT).

The 300 Fr. / person threshold is only for goods that you have ON you while crossing the border.

dawiz

that probably wasn't all tax. Depending on how the packages was mailed, the handling fees can be exorbitantly high. If your mother sent it via some priority mail, chances are the package was handled by a Swiss Post subsidiary company called "Swiss Post International". They're known for charging 50 Fr+ for handling the customs declaration process.

The same company always handles packages sent from the US with USPS expedited mail. I had to pay 60 Fr. in handling charges and 5 Fr. in taxes for a computer games with a value of 9.99 US Dollars.

The meanest thing about them is, that the final amount you pay taxes for INCLUDES the handling fees they themselves add. So let's say you bought a music CD in the US for 9.99$. You pay 10$ for shipping and handling. Theoretically, there should be no tax added to this because the minimum amount they make you pay taxes for is 65 fr.

However, the company in the US thought they did you a favor and sent it via expedited mail. That way, the package isn't received by the Swiss Post but by their subsidiary SPI. SPI adds another 60 Fr. of handling charges. So the new value of your CD is now 12 Fr. (10$, roughly) + 12 Fr for shipping + 60 Fr. handling = 84 Fr. 7.6% tax on that is 6.30 Fr. PLUS the handling tax of 60 Fr. = 66.30.- for a CD

The worst part: this seems to be legal. Kassensturz looked at the declaration process of SPI a couple of years ago and found them legal but highly unfair.

Only in Switzerland...

Coals to Newcastle...
I hope she had a good birthday nonetheless.

I use play.com and have never payed a tax and we have had a lot of books cds and dvd from them free delivery as well

books are tax-free

She did thankyou
Some one mentioned you can take in to the country gifts of 300chf with out tax, is that what you can bring back in new goods from the uk by plane I am off there next week to get some xmas goodies and have no idea what the legal limit is thanks

I am orderign some specialist paper from US. The online price comes to $USD 140 plus $15 postage. So $155 total. How much will I get charged by customs? Would it be the standard 6-7% MWST? Any other hidden costs?

It's a lottery - you might get away with it. If not, then MwsT at 7.6%, some duty (appears to have no relationship to the goods in question), and 20 to 30 CHF in 'handing charges'.

Thanks Swissbob. Is there any difference between ordering from UK and US as far as duty is concerned?

Twice this week I've been hit with customs charges for Xmas gifts received via Amazon (1 from the US, 1 from the UK), with values of USD 62 and GBP 30 -- well below any theoretical CHF 100 limit. In the past, I've also been charged on orders I've placed that are less than CHF 100. I believe this is all a crap shoot and the customs guys do as they please because they can.

The limit is 65 Fr., not 100! And that's 65 Fr. including shipping costs.

dawiz

Only if the product itself was manufactured in the EU.

Just received a book from Amazon US - shipment value over CHF150 - no Mwst to pay. Delivered via normal post, not courier.